What Is It? The Answer

Sorry this answer to the latest "What Is It" item is a day late. I had to leave town unexpectedly.

I'm happy to report that we do have a winner. In fact, a few people touched on the correct use of this gadget. The first to offer specific details was Steve Walden, so I'm declaring that he is the one eligible for fabulous prizes.

I'll give you his answer and then the explanation contained in Maurice Collins' "Ingenious Gadgets" book.

Walden wrote: "Similar to something I used in the past, it is a weight that hangs over a door and a harness attaches to it that goes around your neck to stretch your neck out when you have pinched nerves. Part of the overall therapy."

Collins, under the heading Traction Set, wrote, "Dating from 1950s America, this particular surgical appliance claimed to cure backache and ricked necks. According to the instructions, you hung one end from a door frame, then suspended yourself from your head and neck. For some reason, the company doesn't appear to be trading any more."

Steve can choose from the following:

His choice of Tom Corbett bumper stickers -- "Every Child Left Behind" or "Hooked on Frack" -- an I Ate my Way Through Musikfest With Bill White sticker; an I Ate My Way Through Musikfest With Bill White T-shirt; an autographed copy of a book of short stories published by the Bethlehem Writers Group, "A Christmas Sampler"; a colorful Lehigh Valley Wine Trail wine tote bag; or a 2014 bulldog calendar featuring great photos of Max, the recent winner of America On Wheels' Bulldog Beauty Contest. The calendar was shot and designed by his owner, Lisa Lake of Lisa Lake Photo & Design.

Next Wednesday's item was sent in by a reader. My hope is that more of you will send me photos for possible use in "What Is It?" So start looking around the basement and garage for things that might stump our readers.